• Vice President Biden will visit the Gulf area today, the 71st day of the spill. BP says things are "on track" for getting a relief well down to the area where the oil is leaking, but Tropical Storm Alex, which is expected to become a hurricane, may derail the effort. [CNN]

• There's another heat advisory today -- it will be in the 90s -- but the city's 54 outdoor public pools are now open. [NBC NY]

• New York lawmakers approved budget bills they say close a $9.2 billion deficit and eliminate the threat of a government shutdown. A Paterson spokesman, however, says their budget "is at least $400 million out of balance." [Bloomberg]